Liverpool are heading to Wembley Stadium for the third time in four years after easping past a limp Spurs side.
Four goals from four different scorers capped off a complete performance at Anfield, with Cody Gakpo making himself the top goal scorer in the competition so far.
The pressure on Ange Postecolgou’s job continues to mount, as his side managed just five attempts with none on target.
The same can’t be said for Arne Slot, who is enjoying fantastic first season in the North West and has reached his first final as Liverpool manager.
As it happened
There wasn’t much action in the opening 15 minutes at Anfield. Scuffles between Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and Tottenham’s Richarlison set the tone for what should have been a feisty semi-final, especially with so much on the line for the visitors.
Dominik Szoboszlai thought he had broken the deadlock after a cute Mohamed Salah pass found him in plenty of space in the box, but he was in an offside position despite finding the back of the net.
However, it didn’t take the home side long to score for real after that, and they sensed weakness. Salah was once again the architect and his outside of the foot delivery evaded everyone in the box. Everyone besides Gakpo, that is, who fired past Antonín Kinsky to bring the tie level on aggregate.
Embed from Getty ImagesGakpo and Salah would have combined once more were it not for Spurs’ young Czech shot-stopper, who did very well to tip a bouncing Salah volley over the bar.
It was difficult to argue against Liverpool’s half time lead. They had the lion’s share of momentum and, as Spurs lacked a player up front who could physically compete with Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté, it not only led to relentless pressure from the home side, but also saw Richarlison come off injured as he made way for debutant Mathys Tel.
It took Liverpool just four minutes into the second half to get both hands on the wheel in this tie. An incisive Salah pass was latched onto by fan favourite Darwin Núnez, who cleverly nicked the ball in front of Kinksy. He was outstretched and reckless, taking out the Uruguayan to give away a penalty.
After that, there was no doubt. Liverpool’s main man Salah expertly dispatched his penalty into the top-left corner in front of the Kop.
Embed from Getty ImagesTwo very nearly became three as Gakpo came close to doubling his tally for the night. A fine Liverpool move found him in far too much space as far as the travelling side were concerned. His attempt, although sweetly hit, was tipped onto the post by Kinsky.
Gakpo’s international teammate Ryan Gravenberch also tried to put the game to bed as he struck the upright from distance. Not soon after, Liverpool efficiently strung the ball between Spurs’ team, as they carved them open and made it 3-0 on the night, with Szoboslai working his way into the box before coolly finishing into the bottom corner.
Spurs captain Son Heung-Min attempted to force the visitors back into the tie just moments later, but this time it was his turn to be thwarted by the woodwork, with his effort from a tight angle cracking Caoimhin Kelleher’s goal frame.
But much like the story of the game, Liverpool yet again added insult to injury. This time, the skipper got in on the act, as their towering centre-half Van Dijk powered in their fourth and crushed any hopes of a Spurs’ revival, making it 4-0.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe loss piles yet more pressure on Postecoglou’s job, with another disappointing result in Tottenham’s difficult season. He’s a man who claims to win trophies in his second season, the Europa League now the only available avenue to fulfil that prophecy.
As for Slot and Liverpool, things couldn’t be going much better. The new Dutch boss has already reached his first final, and you’d be very bold to bet against his side lifting the trophy. Wembley Stadium and Newcastle United await.
The Lineups
LIV: Kelleher; Bradley, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones ; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Núnez
TOT: Kinsky; Gray, Danso, Davies, Spence; Bissouma, Bentancur, Sarr; Kulusevski, Richarlison, Son